Decent external flash

[ReF]

Hi, i'm looking for a decent external flash but i have no idea where to start because i know nothing about them! :confused: seriously, i usually just do landscapes but recently i took a few people pics in high contrast outdoor setting and have noticed that the built-in flash doesn't quite do it. i need a stronger flash but i really don't have a lot to spend. i'm quite broke and have already exceeded my budget by a few hundred $$$, but a flash seems to be a must. any recommendations for any flash, third party, etc. are all welcome.
i am using the Digital Rebel. thanks! :)

[Manstein]

I'd recommend a Vivitar 285 quite powerful and available on Ebay for little money.

[Rhys]

Hi, i'm looking for a decent external flash but i have no idea where to start because i know nothing about them! :confused: seriously, i usually just do landscapes but recently i took a few people pics in high contrast outdoor setting and have noticed that the built-in flash doesn't quite do it. i need a stronger flash but i really don't have a lot to spend. i'm quite broke and have already exceeded my budget by a few hundred $$$, but a flash seems to be a must. any recommendations for any flash, third party, etc. are all welcome.
i am using the Digital Rebel. thanks! :)

If you can wait until you have enough cash then I recommend a flash that packs a decent wallop. Go for something like a Metz 45.

[jamison55]

I use a Sunpak 383 on my DReb and 20D. It is plenty powerful enough, and can be had for around $70 online. Jut make sure you are comfortable with using your camera on "M", since it is not TTL (which isn't necessarily a bad thing - I've had much more consistent results with this flash than with my ETTL Sigma EF 500 DG Super)

[Rhys]

I use a Sunpak 383 on my DReb and 20D. It is plenty powerful enough, and can be had for around $70 online. Jut make sure you are comfortable with using your camera on "M", since it is not TTL (which isn't necessarily a bad thing - I've had much more consistent results with this flash than with my ETTL Sigma EF 500 DG Super)

I'm not a ttl or auto-sensor flash fan myself. It only takes something white to reflect light to make the whole photo underexposed.

That's why I have a Metz 45 CT1.

[ReF]

thanks. i use the camera in M mode anyways when i use the flash so it shouldn't be a problem. the rebel works pretty poorly with the flash in Aperture priority mode(my most used setting, second is M). jamison probably already knows about this. the sunpak sounds like a good deal and i'll take a look. Rhys, i looked at the Metz and while i wish i could afford it, i can't. the problem is that i'll be taking a week long trip in late march, so considering that i still have to buy a portable storage device $250, an extra memory card (RAW mode sure hogs memory!) and a flash, i won't have time to save up enough $$$ for a fancy flash :( . thanks for all your suggestions!

[gary_hendricks]

I personally use a Sunpac 383 Super on my D70 for simple flash shots.

[ProblemSolver]

How about a decent (and not quite expensive) external flash and then getting some cheaper mini external flash units that Canon sells for its ultra compact line.